The National Commission for Women (NCW) has issued a preliminary report alleging significant lapses in security, infrastructure, and the investigation into the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The findings, released following an investigation by a two-member NCW inquiry committee, paint a disturbing picture of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The committee discovered a concerning lack of security measures at the time of the incident. There were no security guards present, and inadequate security provisions for on-call interns, doctors, and nurses during night shifts. The report also highlighted the hospital’s deficient facilities for female staff, including poorly maintained washrooms, inadequate lighting, and an absence of basic security measures.
Adding to the concerns, the inquiry committee noted that the site where the alleged rape and murder occurred is undergoing unexpected renovations, raising suspicions of potential evidence tampering. The NCW emphasized that the crime scene should have been immediately secured by the police.
The committee’s investigation also revealed that the questioning of the former Principal, who resigned after the incident, remains incomplete. The NCW has urged a thorough and expedited investigation into the matter.
The 31-year-old trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar College and Hospital on August 9th. An autopsy report and police investigation suggest she was raped and killed.
In response to the incident, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has launched a 24-hour nationwide strike, beginning at 6 am on August 18th. The organization has put forth five demands to the government, including improved security measures for medical professionals. The strike involves the withdrawal of non-emergency and OPD services.
